A small HMO is a shared house for three to six unrelated people. For a house in March we start with a measured survey, check the council’s written HMO standards for the number of sharers, and then price each item separately.
- Area
- Cambridgeshire, England
- Postcodes
- PE15
- Location
- 14 miles east of Peterborough
- Pricing region
- East of England
What do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in March involve?
- Room-by-room size check before any work starts
- Electrical upgrades and certificate
- Decoration and durable flooring
- Kitchen enlarged or refitted for the number of sharers
- Interlinked smoke and heat detection
Which rules apply in March?
Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in March must satisfy national law for England, the council’s written HMO standards and, where walls, drainage or fire separation change, the building rules. In short:
- Mandatory HMO licence for 5 or more people in 2 or more households (since October 2018); councils can add additional licensing for smaller HMOs.
- Licensed HMOs must meet national minimum bedroom sizes: 6.51 m² for one person aged 10 or over, 10.22 m² for two, and 4.64 m² for a child under 10.
- Council standards often step up at 5 and 6 sharers, for example a separate WC at 5 and a second bathroom from 6.
- 7 or more sharers is a sui generis large HMO and normally needs planning permission.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in March?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical 3–4 bed house to a 5–6 bed HMO, all-in | £30,000 – £75,000 | £31,800 – £79,500 | project |
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £3,700 – £6,900 | letting room |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,850 – £9,550 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £850 – £2,100 | house |
| FD30S fire door leaf into an existing frame, with seals, closer and hinges, fitted | £300 – £600 | £320 – £640 | door |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in March can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Typical time on site: 4–10 weeks. We agree the programme with you before starting and send photo updates as the work progresses.
When do March landlords need it?
Typical reasons for this work in March:
- You want a three to six sharer layout that fits the local planning rules
- A three or four-bedroom house you want to let to sharers
Questions about small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) in March
Can I keep a lounge in a small HMO?
Yes, and many councils expect some shared living space where bedrooms are at the smaller end of the size range. We plan the layout so the house works for sharers and meets the local standard.
Do you cover all of March?
Yes. We work across March and the PE15 postcode areas, plus the rest of Cambridgeshire. Nearby places we also cover include Wisbech, Ely, Peterborough.
Where do I check the HMO rules for an address in March?
With the local council for the address. Councils in England can add additional licensing and Article 4 directions on top of the national rules. Check the council’s website for the exact address before you buy or start work.
How much do small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) cost in March?
Our guide ranges for East of England are in the table on this page, and the guide-price tool gives a figure for your house. A fixed written quote follows a free site visit.
Small HMO conversions (3–6 sharers) near March
- Wisbech · 8 mi
- Ely · 13 mi
- Peterborough · 14 mi
- King's Lynn · 19 mi
- Spalding · 19 mi
- Huntingdon · 19 mi
- All of Cambridgeshire